Fiat commences petrol engine production

Fiat will start production of its 1.4-litre petrol engine from November for fitment into the Tata Indigo as well as its new models, the Linea and Grande Punto. It will be made in two versions, a base eight-valve unit and a more powerful 16-valve version. The engine blocks for this petrol motor will be imported from Fiat’s operations in Brazil and the entire manufacturing including machining will be done at the new powertrain plant in Ranjangaon. Initial capacity is 70,000 powertrains per annum eventually going up to 300,000.

This plant has been producing the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel since July this year, which is being fitted onto the Tata Indica Vista and will also be available in the Linea in a more powerful version. Currently this engine has a localisation level of 70 to 80 percent, which Fiat expects to take to 100 percent by 2010.